When I made my first trip to Europe, in 1976, I stopped in Austria when everyone spoke German and I hadn't taken that into account. I was helped at the train station by a nice Austrian woman, and I gave her cigarettes to thank her (we smoked together before my train arrived). I had learned a tiny bit of Italian, because my true destination was Venice. I could say hello, good evening, where's the bathroom, please and thank you -- very little else. When I got to the glass museum on Murano, it was closing, but the guard took pity on me, and brought me inside for a personal tour. He didn't speak English, and you already know how much Italian I had (shameful really), but he made himself understood as he showed me all the displays and even took me backstage where they were repairing an amazing blown glass park, complete with trees, grass, flowers, benches, swing sets, et al. It was an amazing experience, a memory I savor.
I so appreciate today's post. I love learning about Marivi Solivin and her work. Can't wait to read it too.
From one bread baker to another, I can’t wait to listen and eventually watch your films, Marivi. Congratulations! We had a short film festival here in Spokane, and I was surprised how all the filmmakers represented on stage that night were men. I’m curious about the number of women in the film industry. I think representation goes a long way towards growth in that area. Like...more women are in forensics and science because of Dana Scully. I’ve been interested lately in translation. My husband just finished Babel, and I was thinking I might give that a try. I wrote a piece a few weeks back called Lost in Translation if anyone wants to check it out. It’s about the times we get communication very wrong. https://pocketfulofprose.substack.com/p/lost-in-translation
This is such a wonderful interview with Marivi and feature. Thank you, Betsy. I've read Marivi's book (a couple of times), as well as the "Pandemic Bread "story, and I watched the "Panedmic Bread" film that was created from the story. That story hit me especially hard when it was presented on the Decameron program after the book was published. So powerful. How fabulous that a film is being made from "The Mango Bride." Who knows what can happen when our stories are out there in the world. And my goodness, look at that bread!
Wow! I just listened to the full episode. Marivi, I’m going to recommend that we get your book in our school library, and I’ll recommend it to our multi-cultural book club. It is on my
Good reads list now. Thank you for your activism. I have a friend who does similar work here in Spokane, and she is also amazing. I drank in your words like cool tea- thank you! Thanks Betsy for doing this!
Divorce is still illegal in the Philippines? That blew my mind. Also, was fascinated by the issues of race and class raised- I hope you get the writers of color workshop going again. I would be interested of knowing of all that you do.
Bargaining in the Bazaar in Istanbul: the merchant speaks most languages, as we discovered when having a side discussion about prices.
It starts with a fine haggle in english, which we enjoy very much because the merchant doesn't realize at first that we can read arabic numbers. Of course his opening gambit starts orders of magnitude higher than realistic.
After hitting an apparent price, we feign. "Oh look! Here's a tag! Waddaya know- the tag says a price at 1/3 of what you said you'd sell for!"
"What about that?"
So we discuss a bit in french, but merchant is obviously fluent there too. Farsi? same thing.
Sooooo- Ubbi Dubbi it is. Merchant flummoxed. Strategy successful. Deal closed at an advantageous price. After all, bargaining is as much about entertainment as advantage...
When I made my first trip to Europe, in 1976, I stopped in Austria when everyone spoke German and I hadn't taken that into account. I was helped at the train station by a nice Austrian woman, and I gave her cigarettes to thank her (we smoked together before my train arrived). I had learned a tiny bit of Italian, because my true destination was Venice. I could say hello, good evening, where's the bathroom, please and thank you -- very little else. When I got to the glass museum on Murano, it was closing, but the guard took pity on me, and brought me inside for a personal tour. He didn't speak English, and you already know how much Italian I had (shameful really), but he made himself understood as he showed me all the displays and even took me backstage where they were repairing an amazing blown glass park, complete with trees, grass, flowers, benches, swing sets, et al. It was an amazing experience, a memory I savor.
I so appreciate today's post. I love learning about Marivi Solivin and her work. Can't wait to read it too.
From one bread baker to another, I can’t wait to listen and eventually watch your films, Marivi. Congratulations! We had a short film festival here in Spokane, and I was surprised how all the filmmakers represented on stage that night were men. I’m curious about the number of women in the film industry. I think representation goes a long way towards growth in that area. Like...more women are in forensics and science because of Dana Scully. I’ve been interested lately in translation. My husband just finished Babel, and I was thinking I might give that a try. I wrote a piece a few weeks back called Lost in Translation if anyone wants to check it out. It’s about the times we get communication very wrong. https://pocketfulofprose.substack.com/p/lost-in-translation
That focaccia is so pretty!
This is such a wonderful interview with Marivi and feature. Thank you, Betsy. I've read Marivi's book (a couple of times), as well as the "Pandemic Bread "story, and I watched the "Panedmic Bread" film that was created from the story. That story hit me especially hard when it was presented on the Decameron program after the book was published. So powerful. How fabulous that a film is being made from "The Mango Bride." Who knows what can happen when our stories are out there in the world. And my goodness, look at that bread!
Congratulations Marivi! What wonderful news!
Gray newsletter!
Wow! I just listened to the full episode. Marivi, I’m going to recommend that we get your book in our school library, and I’ll recommend it to our multi-cultural book club. It is on my
Good reads list now. Thank you for your activism. I have a friend who does similar work here in Spokane, and she is also amazing. I drank in your words like cool tea- thank you! Thanks Betsy for doing this!
Divorce is still illegal in the Philippines? That blew my mind. Also, was fascinated by the issues of race and class raised- I hope you get the writers of color workshop going again. I would be interested of knowing of all that you do.
Translation story:
Bargaining in the Bazaar in Istanbul: the merchant speaks most languages, as we discovered when having a side discussion about prices.
It starts with a fine haggle in english, which we enjoy very much because the merchant doesn't realize at first that we can read arabic numbers. Of course his opening gambit starts orders of magnitude higher than realistic.
After hitting an apparent price, we feign. "Oh look! Here's a tag! Waddaya know- the tag says a price at 1/3 of what you said you'd sell for!"
"What about that?"
So we discuss a bit in french, but merchant is obviously fluent there too. Farsi? same thing.
Sooooo- Ubbi Dubbi it is. Merchant flummoxed. Strategy successful. Deal closed at an advantageous price. After all, bargaining is as much about entertainment as advantage...